English 箭头
Podcast Cover

[The Haunting of Myrtles Plantation: A Legacy of History and Mystery]-[Episode 181: Myrtles Plantation]

Morbid · B2 · 2020-10-22

True crime
Or study on the web version

📋 Summary

The Haunting of Myrtles Plantation: A Legacy of History and Mystery

Myrtles Plantation, located in St. Francisville, Louisiana, is widely considered one of the most haunted houses in America. While the estate is renowned for its picturesque beauty—often adorned with Spanish moss—it is a place deeply rooted in the dark history of antebellum plantations, built upon "human suffering and racism." This summary explores the history of the property, the legends surrounding its most famous residents, and the persistent paranormal claims that have turned it into a magnet for ghost hunters.

The Origins: General David Bradford and the Whiskey Rebellion

The history of the plantation begins with General David Bradford, known as "Whiskey Dave." In the 1790s, Bradford led the "Whiskey Rebellion" in Pennsylvania against the federal excise tax on whiskey. To escape political persecution and personal feuds, he fled to Louisiana, where he secured a Spanish land grant. In 1797, he established the original eight-room house, which he named "Laurel Grove." Bradford’s tenure ended in 1808 when he succumbed to yellow fever, a disease that would plague the property’s inhabitants for decades.

The Legend of Chloe and the Woodruff Family

The plantation eventually passed to Bradford’s son-in-law, Judge Clark Woodruff. The estate earned its nickname, "The Myrtles," from the crepe myrtle trees under which Woodruff and his wife, Sarah, supposedly blossomed in love. However, the darker side of the plantation's history involves the enslaved people forced to work there.

One of the most enduring legends involves an enslaved woman named Chloe. According to the tale, Woodruff forced himself upon Chloe, and when she was caught eavesdropping on family conversations, he punished her by cutting off her ear. Seeking revenge, or perhaps attempting to prove her worth as a healer, Chloe allegedly poisoned the family’s food, leading to the deaths of Sarah and two of their children. The legend concludes that other enslaved workers, fearing collective punishment, hanged Chloe and disposed of her body in the river. Historical records, however, note that Sarah and the children actually died of yellow fever, suggesting the poisoning story is a myth, though the trauma of the era remains central to the house's haunted reputation.

The Sterling Era and Paranormal Persistence

In 1834, Ruffin Gray Sterling and his wife, Mary Catherine Cobb, purchased the home. They performed extensive renovations, doubling the house to 22 rooms and adding architectural details intended to ward off evil, such as upside-down locks and French crosses on the windows. Tragedy continued to strike: Ruffin died of consumption in 1854, and his son was later murdered on the property.

Perhaps the most infamous death occurred in 1871, when William Winter—husband to Mary’s daughter, Sarah—was shot by an unknown assailant on the front porch. Legend states he struggled up the stairs and died on the 17th step, a location where footsteps are still reportedly heard today.

Modern-Day Hauntings and Photographic Evidence

Since the 1970s, when the property was converted into a bed and breakfast, reports of paranormal activity have surged. Guests and staff have reported:

  • Apparitions: The figure of a woman in a green headscarf—often identified as Chloe or the voodoo priestess Cleo—is frequently seen. A famous 1992 photograph captured a transparent figure leaning against a building, which investigators have noted shows no signs of tampering.
  • The Nursery: The bed of the deceased child, Kate, is said to shake violently, leaving gouges in the floor.
  • The Mirror: A 200-year-old mirror in the hallway allegedly displays the spirits of a woman and two children, with handprints and drip marks that reappear even after the glass is cleaned.
  • Poltergeist Activity: Guests report furniture being rearranged, disembodied screams, and dolls being moved around the room or appearing in beds.

Despite the problematic history of the plantation, it remains a site of immense fascination. From the "childlike presence" reported by guests to the chilling, disembodied cries of "please don't," Myrtles Plantation serves as a haunting reminder of the past, where the line between historical tragedy and the supernatural remains permanently blurred.

🎯Key Sentences

1
It's just in your bones.
2
It's in your DNA.
3
I feel very lucky that I have you all.
4
We're going ham.
5
And she just like whipped it up last night.
Expand All

📝Key Phrases

1
get out of dodge
2
play the odds
3
hedge your bet
4
take the floor
5
skip town
Expand All

📖 Transcript

Hey weirdos, before we unleash today's macabre mystery, we were wondering, have you ever heard of Wondery Plus?
It's like a secret passage to an ad free layer with early access to episodes.
You can join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or an Apple podcast or Spotify.
You're listening to a morbid network podcast.
Listening on Audible helps your imagination soar.
Whether you listen to stories, motivation, expert advice, any genre you love, You can be inspired to imagine new worlds, new possibilities and new ways of thinking.

ListenLeap Brings You Into Real Context Learning

🎨 Interesting Content
🌍 Real Materials
📱 Listen Anytime
Or study on the web version